Apple iPhone Applying For More Patents

Apple has filed for a brace of patents that give some insight about what could be in future iPhone smartphones. The July 9 patent application came a week after Apple applied for touchscreen-related patents.

One of the patents is called ID App, and it would enable an iPhone, or other portable device, to display various amounts of data on nearby objects. The device could use the camera, an RFID reader, or a GPS chip to identify objects, and then compare those against multiple databases. For example, a user could take a picture of a landmark, and the app could use meta-data along with GPS to determine what it is, and then bring up the landmark's Wikipedia page.

"After an object has been identified, the portable electronic device can provide additional information about the identified object," the patent application said. "In some embodiments, the portable electronic device can search for the additional information based on the previously defined mode. In some embodiments, the portable electronic device can provide additional information with incrementally increasing levels of detail."

Nokia (NYSE: NOK) has released something similar with its Point & Find program. Users can snap a picture of a movie poster with their phone's camera and then receive a movie trailer, information, or directions to the nearest theater playing the film.

Another filing suggests future Apple devices could have facial-recognition technology. This could be used for security purposes by limiting who can authorize the device. Most Macintosh laptops already come with built-in cameras. For this to be effective with the iPhone, a future version would likely have to have a front-facing camera.

The company also filed for patents that could filter text messages for obscene content, better manage visual voicemails, and changing the voice output on iPhones. The patent application may be seen here.

article source: http://www.informationweek.com/news/mobility/business/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=218401418

Apple Files For iPhone Touchscreen Tactile Feedback Patent

Apple has filed a patent application with US patent office
called Multi-touch display screen with localized tactile feedback.
As the name suggests, the patent application reveals that Apple wants to bring haptic tactile feedback to iPhone's touchscreen.

If you are a long time iPhone user and are used to its virtual keyboard, you might find the need of a physical keyboard unnecessary. However, some folks insist that its one of the deal breakers.
Apple's patent application suggests that they are looking at improving the user experience of iPhone's virtual keyboard with the help of haptic feedback using “piezoelectric actuators", which will make it easier to use while you are driving the car etc with the help of non-visual hints so you don't have to see the screen while typing.

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According to the patent application:

The haptic feedback can take any form, including vibration, and can be paired with other non-visual feedback such as audible noise...

The display screen can be used to present a visual display which includes a virtual button. A haptic feedback response can be associated with the virtual button. The haptic feedback response can be provided while the virtual button is included in the visual display, or in response to a touch event. For example, the virtual button can vibrate when a touch event occurs in proximity to the virtual button. In addition to virtual buttons, the display can include other user-selectable display elements.

For example, the visual display can include a virtual click wheel associated with a haptic feedback response. For example, the virtual button at the center of the virtual click wheel can vibrate at a different frequency than the virtual wheel surrounding it. The virtual wheel and the virtual button at the center can vibrate while they are included in the visual display, or in response to a touch event. By providing dynamic, localized, haptic feedback at the location of the virtual click wheel, the present invention enables a user to find and operate the virtual click wheel non-visually.

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It will be interesting to see if the improvements mentioned in the patent application will convince users who believe that lack of a physical keyboard is one of the deal breakers.
It is also important to note that Apple's patent applications generally reveal a very wide-range of possibilities but might never see the light of day though its interesting to get a glimpse of Apple's recent research effort.

In addition to the tactile feedback patent application, MacRumors has revealed that Apple has also filed patent application for Fingerprint Identification and RFID reader for iPhone.
As always, let me know your thoughts in the comments section

article source: http://www.iphonehacks.com/2009/07/apple-might-bring-tactile-feedback-to-iphones-touchscreen.html